EP45: Hawthorn Harmony - A Tale of Foraging, Wildcrafting, and Connection

EP45: Hawthorn Harmony - A Tale of Foraging, Wildcrafting, and Connection

Author: Robin Harford May 19, 2023 Duration: 2:51

Join us for a breath of fresh air with episode 45 of 'Eatweeds,' a podcast dedicated to celebrating the joy and richness of wild food. Our host, Robin Harford, transports us away from the bustle of daily life, inviting us to pause, reflect, and savor the exquisite moments of being at one with nature.

In this special episode, Robin trades his traditional role as host to become our storyteller, bringing to life his personal essay on the pure, simple beauty of gathering Hawthorn flowers for syrup.

Key topics covered include:

- The art and wonder of foraging, in this case, focusing on the hawthorn.
- The transformative process of wildcrafting, turning simple hawthorn flowers into a tantalizing syrup.
- Embracing nature's cycles and the magic of spring when hawthorns bloom.

Robin takes us on a sensory journey, painting a vivid picture of an English spring, when Hawthorn trees burst into life, their branches heavy with cream-colored blooms. As he walks us through the process of gathering these delicate blossoms, we are immersed in a fairy-tale landscape where bees dance joyously around the flowers, and the early morning dew brings a glistening freshness to the day.

But this episode is about more than just the act of gathering hawthorn flowers; it's a meditative exploration of our connection to the natural world. As Robin shares his experience, we learn how foraging becomes a kind of alchemy, transforming not just the flowers into syrup, but the forager into an integral part of nature's narrative.

Robin eloquently conveys the sheer joy and vitality that come from engaging directly with nature, infusing life with a rustic simplicity that's often missing in our urbanized existence. Making hawthorn syrup becomes a meaningful ritual, a way to weave nature into our everyday routines, creating an escape from emails, screens, and the never-ending scroll of modern life.

In this enchanting episode of 'Eatweeds', Robin invites you to join him in saying yes to the delight of gathering Hawthorn flowers and invites you to rediscover a connection that nurtures not just our bodies, but our souls.

Tune in, step out, and allow the wild to feed your spirit with Eatweeds!

Back Matter

Follow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.


There's a quiet revolution happening just outside our doors, in the hedgerows, parks, and forgotten corners of the landscape. Eatweeds Podcast: For People Who Love Plants is your guide to that green world, hosted by forager and ethnobotanist Robin Harford. This isn't just a list of what's edible; it's a deep, sensory dive into our relationship with the flora around us. Each episode feels like a walk with a knowledgeable friend, one who points out not just the names of plants, but their stories, their historical uses, and their place in both ancient traditions and modern kitchens. You'll hear conversations that weave together practical foraging tips with cultural anthropology, exploring how plants have sustained human life for millennia as food, medicine, and material. Robin brings on experts and practitioners who share their hands-on experiences, from turning acorns into flour to understanding the medicinal compounds in a common weed. The podcast moves seamlessly from the science of plant identification to the folklore buried in their old names, creating a rich tapestry that connects listeners directly to their environment. It’s for anyone who has ever looked at a plant and wondered, "What's your story?" This series provides those answers, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wild, often overlooked bounty that grows all around us, making every walk an opportunity for discovery and connection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 58

Eatweeds Podcast: For People Who Love Plants
Podcast Episodes
EP48: The Car Free Forager - An Interview With Andy Hamilton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:43
In this episode of the Eatweeds podcast, Robin Harford invites the seasoned forager, Andy Hamilton, for a deep and meaningful conversation about the evolving world of foraging, wild food, and wildcrafting.They take liste…
EP46: Foraging In Italy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:46
This week on the Eatweeds podcast, we travel to the remote, idyllic region of Abruzzo, Italy, a haven for foragers, to meet our special guest, Marta Udalowa. Originally hailing from Poland, Marta has turned her passion f…
EP44: A Year on Wild Food [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:00
My guest for this episode of the Eatweeds podcast is the remarkable Mo' Wilde. An author and experienced foraging teacher, Mo' has done something few could even contemplate: she lived for a full year completely sustained…
EP43: Plants, Enchantment and Wild Words [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:51
Embark on a captivating journey in this episode of the Eatweeds Podcast as host Robin Harford welcomes Zoe Gilbert, a talented fiction author and folklore expert. Immerse yourself in an enchanting conversation about plan…
EP42: Medicinal Forest Gardens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:48
In this episode, I talk with Anne Stobart, who set up the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust, about why we need to grow medicinal and food trees instead of just ornamental trees and shrubs.
EP41: It’s Not Just For You Human [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:54
A short audio essay on sustainable harvesting and ethical wildcrafting. Spoken by Robin Harford from Eatweeds.
EP40: Plants & Colour with Flora Arbuthnott [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:42
In this episode I talk with natural plant dye artist, Flora Arbuthnott. We discuss her fascination with using wild plants to create beautiful art and how the practice of gathering feedsback into nurturing creativity and…
EP39: What's That Plant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
Mark Duffell is one of Britain's foremost botanists and ecologists. We discuss... The best way for beginners to learn plant identification. Why the ecology of a plant is important to know before harvesting. Forager or pi…
EP38: Let's Talk Trespass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:37
Nick Hayes author of the 'Book of Trespass' discusses the reason why Right to Roam is so important to the nation's mental health and wellbeing. Why access to the countryside helps people deepen their connection to nature…